Audiophilepure

I did also notice a few other things using the Strata that might be of interest. First, surface noise on clean modern discs seems a bit quieter and lower in subjective frequency, but the opposite can be true with older discs, depending on prior use/abuse, vinyl hygiene, or pressing defects. Pops and tics are instantaneous, with minimal overhang. I was also more aware than usual of low level pre-echoes from the following groove. I don’t play much rock, so will offer no opinion on undistorted guitar distortion.

I have played all sorts of LPs atop the Strata with nary an instance where I thought anything musical was left in the grooves. Cliche or not, I was hearing musical information on familiar records I’d not noticed before. Over the years I’ve improved my analog playback with turntables, tonearms, cartridges, and phono stages – each retailing for far more than the Origin Live Strata. Yet it turns out it’s this innovative platter mat that actually makes all those other upgrades absolutely worth the expense.

So who (besides your humble correspondent) will be buying a Strata mat? Current or future Origin Live turntable owners might opt instead for a newly available platter which includes Strata tech bonded to an acrylic sub-platter (now standard on their top turntables). That still leaves a lot of audiophiles with decent to extravagant analog rigs, yet still open to real improvement. OK, some might rather spend 500 bucks on 10-12 audiophile reissues. Sigh.